Rev Louis Beckham Snider, 99 passed 9/23. BA Goergetown College, Georgetown, KY. MA Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, KY. MA Western Reserve University, Schools of Social Work. Married Margaret Russell Childress- a Baptist Deacon’s daughter 8/23/32 who served God with him for 53 years. Served as a Minister of the Gospel for many years until by the 1940’s he became aware of the needs of dependent children. With his wife, sold all they possessed to acquire his MA in Social Work and at the age of 45 began a new ministry in the service of dependent and upset children, which continued for the rest of his life. The quality of his service is best illustrated by the admission of Central Baptist Children’s Home under his executive direction into the Child Welfare League of America in 1952. In 1965 due to illness he left his executive position and became a physological counselor for East and then West Lyden HS. His transcendant passion for solving problems earned him a place in Who’s Who In America which after his wife purchased the book was tossed on top of his chest of drawers where it was regularly dusted. Retiring in 1970 developed his personal year of Jubilee and gave away his services to troubled children, marriages, and seniors (frequently younger than himself) into his middle 90’s. At the end when age had taken away his physical and mental capacities he remained firm in his faith greeting everyone with “God Bless You” and “Pray for me.” He’s survived by a brother Richard Snider, sons Louis Snider Jr. and Ermit Finch; a daughter Mrs. Marylen Rank; grandchildren Leroy Finch, Mimi Finch and Joseph Rank, and great grandchildren Taylor and Shannon Finch. In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Central Baptist Family Services, PO Box—-215 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Lake Villa, Il 60046.
